Element Escapes is a locally based Queenstown property management company specialising in Airbnb and short-term rental management across Queenstown, Arrowtown and the wider Wakatipu region. With over 15 years operating in the Queenstown accommodation market, we manage the full rental operation on your behalf, from Airbnb listing optimisation and dynamic pricing to housekeeping, 24/7 guest communication and property care. Owners benefit from a fully hands-off management experience, transparent reporting, monthly payouts and owner statements, and a local team they can reach directly.
Queenstown’s visitor economy creates year-round demand for quality holiday accommodation. Learn more about the Queenstown short-term rental market, or browse our holiday homes.
15+
Years in Queenstown
24/7
Local Support
No Lock-in
Contracts
Find out what your property could earn. No obligation, no hidden fees.
Prefer to email? owners@elementescapes.co.nz
Why Queenstown owners choose Element Escapes
Owners across Queenstown and Arrowtown hand their property to Element Escapes because we focus on the things that drive long-term performance: local expertise, flexible terms, transparent reporting and round-the-clock support.
15 years on the ground in Queenstown
A long-standing local team with deep market knowledge of Queenstown, Arrowtown and the surrounding area. We’ve worked the accommodation market through every season.
No long-term lock-in
Flexible owner agreements with no fixed-term contracts. You can opt in or out as your plans for the property change.
24/7 local support
A locally-based on-call manager, not an offshore call centre. Real people responding to guest issues and owner questions, day or night.
Integrated multi-channel strategy
One team managing Airbnb, Booking.com and direct bookings together, with dynamic pricing and listing optimisation across every channel.
Full owner-portal transparency
Live visibility of bookings and blocked dates, plus monthly statements covering all earnings and expenses.
Full-service holiday home management
Our Queenstown team manages the full rental operation on your behalf. That means listing optimisation and dynamic pricing across the Element Escapes website, Airbnb, Booking.com and more, coordinated housekeeping between every stay, 24/7 guest communication, and regular property inspections.
We actively track seasonal demand, local events and competitor rates to keep your property performing year-round. Owners receive monthly statements, transparent reporting and direct access to the team managing their home.
Your property listed where guests are searching
Testimonials
Hear from our owners
“I can’t rate Luke and Lucy highly enough! They are fantastic property managers and our guests have all commented on how impressed they have been with Luke and Lucy. They are attentive, have good communication and are quick to action.”
Amber W., 4-bedroom home, Kelvin Heights
“Lucy and Luke have quickly and successfully built momentum on the listing and consistently provide an amazing experience for guests. The reviews from guests speak for themselves. Comms are exceptional. We really enjoy our partnership with Element Escapes. Long may it continue!”
Leon M., 2-bedroom home, Moke Lake
“Luke, Lucy and George have done a wonderful job managing our property in Queenstown since December 2021. Always contactable, and they take care of the place whilst keeping all the guests happy.”
Bill B., 3-bedroom home, Queenstown
How It Works
Getting started is simple
1
Get a Free Appraisal
We assess your property and provide a realistic income estimate based on current Queenstown market rates, seasonality and comparable properties. No lock-in, no obligation. Just honest numbers to help you decide.
2
We Set Everything Up
We arrange professional photography, create optimised listings on the Element Escapes website, Airbnb, Booking.com and more, and coordinate everything your property needs to launch. Once your photos are ready, we can have you live and taking bookings within 24 hours.
3
We Handle It All
We manage dynamic pricing, 24/7 guest communications, cleaning coordination, maintenance and owner reporting. Our local team monitors performance, handles every guest interaction and keeps your property in top condition between stays. Fully hands-off from day one.
4
You Get Paid
Receive monthly statements covering all earnings and expenses, with payments deposited directly to your account. Track live bookings and blocked dates any time through your owner portal. Full transparency, no surprises.
Ready to earn more from your Queenstown property?
Your listing, handled
From first photo to five-star review, we manage every part of your property’s online presence.
Listing & Pricing
- Professional photography and listing copywriting
- Listings created and optimised across the Element Escapes website, Airbnb, Booking.com and more
- Dynamic pricing updated daily based on demand, events, and competitor rates
- Seasonal rate strategy to maximise occupancy and average nightly rate
Guest Management
- Instant guest enquiry response, 7 days a week
- Pre-arrival communication and check-in coordination
- Review monitoring and professional response to all guest feedback
Performance & Reporting
- Monthly owner statements covering all income, expenses and bookings
- Ongoing listing updates: photos, copy, and amenity details kept current
- Channel parity management to protect your pricing and ranking
Property services
We keep your property protected, maintained and always guest-ready.
- Property secured and checked on each guest departure
- 24/7 availability for in-stay maintenance and emergency response
- Maintenance and repair coordination on your behalf
- Owner sign-off process for any repair costs above an agreed threshold
- Pre-opening compliance check covering smoke alarms and safety equipment
Available at additional cost: garden maintenance and hot tub servicing.
Guest readiness
Hotel-quality cleaning, linen and consumables management, end to end.
- Cleaning partners trained to hotel quality standard
- Damage review and post-stay inspection every stay
- Full linen management including ordering and returns
- Hotel standard bed linen, bath and hand towels, face cloths and tea towels
- Consumables restocked every stay: toiletries, kitchen basics, tea and coffee
- Property handbook and arrival information provided for every guest
Owner FAQs
Frequently asked questions
Our short-term rental management service suits:
- Holiday homeowners wanting a stress-free rental experience
- Investment property owners who want to maximise Airbnb or short-term rental income in Queenstown
- Anyone seeking professional property management without the hassle
We manage homes of all sizes, from studios to multi-bedroom houses. No minimum or maximum size required.
Yes! Whether your property is currently managed by another company or you are managing your own listing, Element Escapes can take over.
- A new listing under our profile will be created to ensure your property benefits from professional management, marketing, and guest services
- We handle the transition smoothly, including calendar setup, pricing optimisation, and ensuring no disruption to upcoming bookings
- Our goal is to maximise occupancy and revenue while giving you a hands-off experience
Once we have professional photos and complete a property inspection, your listing can go live within 24 hours, so you can start generating income almost immediately.
We can assist with furniture procurement and styling to suit your property’s size, layout, and design aesthetic. Our team works with a trusted local interior designer to ensure your holiday home is not only functional but also visually appealing for guests. Whether you need help selecting furniture, décor, or layout optimisation, we provide guidance to create a comfortable, guest-ready space that maximises both bookings and positive reviews.
We take care of almost everything, but you’ll need to ensure compliance with local regulations, maintain insurance, and approve any major repairs.
We offer a flexible, easy-to-understand agreement with no long-term contracts. Clear terms mean homeowners can start earning rental income quickly and confidently.
A commission-based management fee calculated on accommodation revenue, with no upfront setup costs. No flat monthly charges, no fees when your property is not earning. Request a free appraisal and we’ll provide a personalised fee proposal for your property.
Your property will receive maximum exposure through multiple channels:
- Direct bookings via the Element Escapes website, allowing guests to book easily while avoiding platform fees
- Major booking platforms such as Airbnb, Booking.com, and others
Marketing Details:
- Professional Photography: high-quality images showcase your property in the best light
- Optimised Listings: descriptions, amenities, and titles are carefully written for each platform
- Targeted Marketing: listings are promoted across all platforms to reach the widest audience
- Dynamic Pricing: rates are adjusted based on market demand, seasonality, and local events to maximise occupancy and revenue
Minimum Stay & Seasonal Rules:
- Flexible Stays: set minimum nights per booking depending on season or event demand
- Optimised Occupancy: short or long stays are strategically priced to maximise revenue
We use dynamic pricing to maximise your revenue across seasons, events, and market demand. We set the strategy, but it’s your property and we’re open to input.
Rental income is paid monthly with a detailed owner statement showing all earnings and expenses. Element Escapes also manages payments for repairs and maintenance, giving you full transparency and making it easy to track and organise your property’s finances.
Absolutely! With the Element Escapes Owner Portal, you can easily add your own reservations, block off personal dates, or manage availability at any time. This gives you full control over when your property is available for guests while still benefiting from professional management for the rest of the year.
Our local property managers perform ingoing and outgoing checks on guest arrival and departure to ensure your property stays in top condition. We also have an on-call manager available 24/7 for emergencies. Our team lives locally, is dedicated, and responds promptly to any urgent issues.
If something needs to be repaired at your property, we will contact you directly to discuss the issue. We then arrange for one of our trusted contractors, who understand the short-term rental market, to carry out the repair. For urgent issues, we ensure problems are fixed promptly to keep your property guest-ready and maintain a smooth experience for both owners and guests.
Yes! We coordinate all cleaning, linen, and restocking, ensuring your property is professionally prepared for every guest. Cleaning is carried out by our contracted cleaning partners, trained to hotel quality standard.
Linen & Towels:
- Bed linen, pillowcases, bath towels, hand towels, face cloths, bath mats, and tea towels
- Coordinated by Element Escapes, including ordering, collection, and replenishment, with our cleaning partners handling on-site changeovers
Consumables:
- Essentials like toiletries, kitchen basics, and guest supplies are restocked as needed
- Keeps your property fully equipped and guest-ready
Element Escapes coordinates contracted housekeeping partners as part of every management agreement to keep guest experience and review scores consistent across the portfolio. If you have a preferred cleaner you’d like us to consider, we can look at this on a case-by-case basis. Get in touch and we can discuss what works for your property and how we can keep service standards aligned.
We keep homeowners informed with regular updates and detailed statements via email, phone, or WhatsApp:
- Monthly owner statements showing income, expenses, and occupancy
- Direct communication about repairs, maintenance, or guest issues
- Transparency at every step to ensure you are fully informed without extra effort
Owners should have insurance covering short-term rental use and notify their provider if the property will be rented. This ensures your property is protected while hosting guests.
Guest damage is rare but it does happen. We document the property at each turnover, identify any issues promptly, and manage the follow-up.
We offer advice and can connect you with a trusted local company that specialises in navigating the approval process. They have the expertise to guide you through the legal requirements to ensure your property complies with local regulations for short-term rentals.
If you’re looking for professional holiday home management in Queenstown & surrounding areas, Element Escapes is here to take care of everything. Contact us today to list your property and start maximising your rental income!